2013 Map of The Old Dry Lake

About this map

The Old Dry Lake sits in the eastern reaches of De Baca County, defining a landscape shaped by water management in a semi-arid climate. The geography is characterized by numerous catchment basins, or tanks, often named for local families or pasture use, such as Big Ragland Tank, O'Brian Tank, and Horse Pasture Tank. These features, along with School Section Tank, suggest a history tied to livestock grazing and the Public Land Survey System’s distribution of sections for education funding. Drainage patterns are etched into the terrain via ephemeral watercourses like Ragland Draw and Double Windmills Draw. A network of rural routes, including Clay Flat Rd and various county roads, provides access across the township lines of T1S and T2S, connecting these isolated water sources and ranching landmarks.